On the night on 5th July 1654 Lithuanian troops under lieutenant-colonel Herman Ganskop attacked & defeated on river Kolodnia Russian troops under kniaz Nikita Odoewski. It was a vanguard of the main Russian army under Tzar Alexei Mikhailovich marching to the Smolensk. It’s marching order was the following: Ertaul (recognizing troops), Storozevoy Polk (advanced guard), Peredovoy Polk (vanguard), Bolshoy Polk (main army), Gosudarev Polk (Tzar’s own guard), Bolshoy Naryad (siege artillery). In the evening 4th July Peredovoy Polk under Odoewski took a camp on river Kolodnia. It consisted of Philip-Albert von Bukhowen Reitars, Fransis Traufert Foot & unknown number of feudal levy – total about 5,000. Ertaul & Storozevoy Polk probably went further to the west (their positions are unknown). We don’t know exactly the place of Odoewski’s camp. Polish sources mention rivers Stabna & Novaya Voda. Jerzy Czajewski (I agree with him) proposes that Odoewski took camp in the old Radziwill’s camp built in 1633. Two of it’s redoubts are still discernible on Google maps. In 1654 it’s fortifications were in better condition.

Lithuanian Corps under Herman Ganskop consisted of 4 choragwies (coys) of J. Radziwill Dragoons (Ganskop was a commander of the regiment), a reitar choragwie, 13 choragwies of light horses – total about 2,500-3,000. They approached Odoewski’s camp on 4th July evening & attacked the same night. Russians were unprepared & suffered heavy losses. Probably Odoewski fought that Ertaul & Storozevoy Polk covered him & didn’t pay attention to the recognition & guard. Lithuanians wrote about 1,000 killed. Among captives was “Car chorazy” (Tzar’s standard-bearer). Also they took 13 colours & standards. They were brought to Smolensk & then sent to the Warsawa. In 1655 Swedes took them there & sent to Stockholm to the State Trophy Collection.

One of the captured colours looks like a Polkovoe colour (style, size, etc.). It’s 5x1,63 meter. In the previous post (see Colors of the Main Tzar’s army Polks in the 1654 campaign) I wrote that all 1654 Polk’s colours are available except the Peredovoy Polk suffered at Kolodnia. Evidently this colour from Stockholm is the colour of Peredovoy Polk.

вторник, 16 августа 2011 г.

While I was searching for the materials about Saxon GL Johann Mathias von der Schulenburg & his service during GNW I discovered very interesting materials about Ottoman-Venetian war of 1714-18. Schulenburg joined Venetian service in 1716 & distinguished during the Ottoman siege of Corfu (28 July - 22 August 1716)

суббота, 13 августа 2011 г.

Polish regiment of Artillery since 1717 consisted of 8 coys & totaled 596 men (incl. 464 privates). In addition it had a company of dragoons of 50 men (incl. 36 dragoons). In 1729 the regiment got a new uniform presented on the plate below.

среда, 10 августа 2011 г.

After a long break I am continuing the story about winter campaign 1705-06 in Poland. Now is a part about the final preparations to the Swedish match to Grodno (Hrodno).

Actions in Poland in December 1705
(click to enlarge)

I – Beginning of December. Smigelski with a Corps about 700 men came to Sandomir & destroyed at Kelec 2 choragwies of Potocki. He tried also to capture the castle in Kelec but it’s commandant Grudzinski repulsed the attack.

II - Beginning of December. Lithuanian Grand Hetman Wisniowecki moved his choragwies from Bug to Podlasie on winter quarters

9 Dec. – August sent an order to Saxon army in Lusatia to be ready for a march with food for 14-days. In a case if Carl XII would move to Hrodno, Saxon army had to march in central Pland.

IV – A detachment of Henskin’s dragoons attacked Plock with 200 Swedes. Russians captured 1 ensign & 70 privates & killed the rest. In the previous post about actions in November 1705 I mistook old & modern calendar. According to the modern calendar Henskin took Plotck on Dec 11th.

22 Dec. – Allies in Hrodno got news that Swedes were preparing for a campaign. Russians & Saxons started preparation to repulse Swedes.

V – 22 Dec. Stromberg with 4 IR arrived to Warsawa from Cracow. The main Swedish army is concentrated around Warsawa & ready for a campaign.

VI – 24 Dec. A Corps of 2,000 Swedish cavalry under Mardenfelt crossed Wistula. Evidently he moved to Bug to investigate allied positions & clean right bank of Wistula from allied reconnaissance parties. Allies in Hrodno got news about it on Dec 25th.

VII – 26 Dec. Russian governor of Dorpat reported that Swedes blocked the town from the south (4 infantry battalions) & north (Karelska Rytter & probably other mounted troops). Russian reitars had a lot of small clashes with them.

About the blog

This blog is dedicated to Russian military history (wars, organization, uniforms, colors, weapons) & related topics (enemies & allies - their organisation, uniforms, etc). Among my favorite topics also are Polish-Lithuanian state & army, Ottoman army & Polish Succession war 1733-35.
For personal contacts you can use Comments to my posts or e-mail me at:
gromoboy
at
mail.ru